'Two years is NOT ENOUGH!' Meddling Germany interferes in Britain's Brexit timeline
GERMANY’s foreign minister has rubbished Britain’s chances of agreeing a Brexit divorce deal and a future trade arrangement with the EU within two years.
Sigmar Gabriel admits that Europe needs Britain
Sigmar Gabriel, who also serves as vice-chancellor to German leader Angela Merkel, warned the UK of the “laborious endeavour” of concluding a free trade deal between Britain and the EU ahead of his trip to London today.
Prior to a meeting with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Mr Gabriel repeated Germany’s insistence the UK must agree to cough up for a Brexit bill - which could be as high as £50billion - before being able to discuss a future relationship with the bloc.
In her letter triggering Article 50 last week, Theresa May insisted she wants the UK’s divorce agreement with the EU and a free trade deal with the remaining 27 member states to be discussed at the same time.
The Prime Minister believes the terms of the UK’s future partnership with the EU can be agreed within the 24-month timeframe of Article 50 talks.
But Germany has led opposition to this approach, claiming the UK must agree to stump up large sums of cash before being allowed to discuss a trade deal.
In an interview with The Independent, Mr Gabriel dampened expectations of the UK agreeing both a divorce deal and a trade relationship within two years.
He said: “We are as keen as the UK is to complete both agreements as soon as possible.
"First, we have to get things right on the orderly withdrawal, then we will want to talk as soon as possible about our future relationship and get as far as we can within the next two years.
"However, I don’t want to speculate on time frames at a time when negotiations have not even started yet. Both sides must recognise that an agreement on a wide-ranging partnership will be quite a laborious endeavour."
Tusk: UK must show significant Brexit progress to discuss trade
Both sides must recognise that an agreement on a wide-ranging partnership will be quite a laborious endeavour
European Council president Donald Tusk, in his draft EU negotiating guidelines, has revealed the UK will only be allowed to discuss a future trade deal once “sufficient progress” is made within Article 50 talks on Britain’s divorce arrangement.
Mr Gabriel insisted Germany shares the position of Mr Tusk, adding: “We’ll also have to work together towards achieving certainty that the UK will honour its financial obligations towards the EU.”
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Foreign Secretary will tell the minister face to face that we want a deep and special partnership and want to work closely with our EU partners to get the best deal for both sides.
"He will make clear that this should not be like a divorce and we should enter discussions in a positive way.
"He will also reassure him that we will not use defence and security as a bargaining chip in negotiations but also that Gibraltar is also not a chip for bargaining."